Manila, the capital of the Philippines and one of the most densely populated cities in the world, is a very lively yet interesting city to visit. Located on Manila Bay, the country’s capital is full of contrasting architecture, from Spanish colonial reminiscences to modern skyscrapers. You will find everything from churches and forts to parks and other interesting attractions. There is no doubt that Manila is a very busy city, so when you get tired of so much traffic, you can escape to the quiet place that is Coron Island. Known for its diving spots, beautiful beaches and beautiful landscapes, Corón is the perfect place to spend a few days away from the city.
Travel options from Manila to Coron
The distance from Manila to Coron is considerable. If you add to this the natural geographical features of the Philippines, the route is even longer due to the number of islands along the way. Of course, since it is an island, you cannot reach Corón by land, but you will have to take a ferry to get there. The journey by land and sea covers a distance of 440 kilometers and the journey is long. A much faster option is to choose a flight. Corón has an airport, so traveling by plane is very convenient and fast. A direct ferry from Manila to Corón is also a viable option, but it takes much longer.
Manila to Coron flights
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Cebu Pacific (Cebgo) on the runway © Rainier Martin Ampongan / Shutterstock.com
The main reason to consider flying from Manila to Coron is the speed at which the plane travels. Unless you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the Philippines, you’ll want to make the most of each day. Therefore, spending a whole day traveling from Manila to Corón would not fit well into your plans. If you’re on a plane, you can fly out in the morning and relax on the beach in the afternoon.
There are three airlines to choose from, Air Juan, Cebgo and Sky Jet, so there are several options each day. This means that it will be easy to find a flight that suits your plans, which is not the case with the ferry as its schedules are limited.
In Manila, flights depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It was previously known (and generally still is) as Manila International Airport. There are connections from the city to the airport, but due to the chaotic traffic, it is advisable to go well in advance.
In Corón, you will arrive at Francisco B. Reyes Airport, formerly known as Busuanga Airport. It is undoubtedly a much smaller and quieter airport than Manila, so you will be able to feel the peace of the place as soon as you land.
The biggest disadvantage of flights from Manila to Coron is the price. Flying in the Philippines is not as cheap as in other countries, so the cost of the ticket may surprise you. Although, if you think about how much time you’ll save by avoiding the ferry, you might think it’s worth spending more on the flight. Airline tickets can be booked through a travel agent or online through a reliable company such as 12Go.asia.
From Manila to Coron by ferry
Super Value on the Night Ferry © Happy Auer / Shutterstock.com
If you look at the map of the route from Manila to Coron, you’ll see that technically you can do part of the trip overland and use multiple ferries to get from one island to another until you reach Coron. This can be a nice option for independent and adventurous travelers, but it would certainly be time consuming and difficult to find the locations and times of all the ferries you would need to get there. Fortunately, there is a direct route that makes traveling by water economical and practical.
One of the largest tour operators in the Philippines is 2GO, which enjoys a very good reputation. It offers a direct ferry service from Manila to Coron departing from North Harbor Pier 4 at 7:00 PM. This pier is right in the center of Manila, so it’s easy to get to if you’re already in the city. You will arrive at the port of Corón at 6:00 AM the next day, so the duration of the journey is 11 hours.
The biggest problem with the Manila to Corón ferry trip is that it only runs once a week at the moment. Departures are on Fridays and it can be difficult to fit this particular time into your travel plans, especially when compared to the flexibility offered by flights. Also, since there is only one service a week, tickets can sell out in no time, so you’ll need to book in advance.
Still, a ferry ride can be a fun experience. Therefore, if you have enough time and can adjust to the departure time, it is not a bad idea to consider this option. The 2GO ferry has several ticket options, so you can choose the one that best suits your budget. If you want to save as much as possible, you can choose the Super Value Class option. Then there are Mega Value Class, Tourist Class, Business Class for 6 people, a cabin for 4 people and finally a cabin for 2 people, the most expensive option. Value and Mega Value offer the same sleeping facilities: bunk beds in a large room shared with many other people. The difference is that Mega Value has air conditioning and Super Value does not.
Economy class offers a little more privacy as the rooms are smaller, but it’s still a shared option. If you want to travel alone with family or friends, you will need to choose a cabin or a stateroom. If you want, you can sleep through almost 11 hours of travel. If not, you have several services on board, such as places to eat, a small shop and in some cases a spa and a hairdresser.
If you like to go slow and want to save money, the Manila to Coron ferry is a good option. On the other hand, if you don’t have much time and want to get to Coron as soon as possible, a flight from Manila to Coron is the most practical alternative.